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Shooting suspect held without bond

Over in Seminole County, FL, a judge has ordered a man accused of shooting a 10 year-old boy to be held without bond. The man, Daquan Butts, was involved in an argument with another man while playing basketball, which led to an innocent bystander (the 10 year-old boy) to be shot in the stomach.

Making matters worse for Mr. Butts is the fact that he didn't turn himself in for days, when he was the prime suspect. Besides accidentally shooting the young boy, Butts also intentionally shot another man. Butts now faces charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and felony possession of a firearm. Complicating things further for his defense, he has a long list of past charges.

FL law states that Aggravated Battery is a second degree felony. Butts is looking at penalties that can include up to 15 years in prison or 15 of probation, as well as up to $10,000 in fines. Since he already is a convicted felon, being charged with possession of a fireman will tack on even more legal trouble.

It will be very difficult for Mr. Butts' defense team to prove he acted in self-defense. Having a seriously injured child involved won't do him any favors. Currently he has a public defender appointed by the judge to handle his case. Being an ex-con, with a gun, continuing to get into legal trouble, could mean that Mr. Butts will not get much sympathy from the judge when it comes time for sentencing. Someone in Butts' situation should get the best legal advice available, otherwise they will be at the mercy of an unforgiving judge's harsh sentence.

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